Distinguished teacher named to board overseeing the nation’s report card

Richland Two Coordinator of Professional Learning and AP U.S. government and politics teacher Patrick Kelly has been appointed to a four-year term on the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees the only continuing, nationally representative evaluation of U.S. students’ knowledge. U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos appointed Kelly and two others to the 26-member board in January.

As a teacher, Mr. Kelly has placed special emphasis on increasing student enrollment in Advanced Placement coursework, especially among traditionally underrepresented groups and first-time AP students. In his hybrid role, he develops and manages professional learning and growth opportunities for more than 3,000 staff members across his district.

Mr. Kelly served as a U.S. Department of Education Classroom Teaching Ambassador Fellow in 2015-2016 and as a Washington Teaching Ambassador Fellow in 2016-2017. In these roles, he coordinated and helped conduct outreach to more than 12,000 teachers in order to better inform the work of the Department. During his time in Washington, Mr. Kelly worked on a range of policy topics including assessment, diversity, teacher leadership, and systems of support for educators.

Mr. Kelly is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and was one of five finalists for South Carolina State Teacher of the Year in 2014. Mr. Kelly is a member of the Board of Directors for the Palmetto State Teachers Association and a member of the Executive Board of Directors for the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement. He is also a member of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year and is a regular contributor for Education Post. He has a master’s degree in social studies and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of South Carolina. He joined the district in 2005.